Belvidere woman faces drug, child endangerment charges

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Sheena Kesler, 27, of Belvidere, Ill., was arrested Feb. 5 after allegedly selling cocaine to undercover officers while her two children — both younger than 8 — were present.

Kesler has been charged with one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a senior citizen complex (cocaine, Class X felony); one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine, Class 1 felony); and two counts of endangering the life or health of a child. She is being held at the Boone County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Kesler’s arrest comes after complaints were made by several of her neighbors. The complaints led to a two-month investigation by the Belvidere Police Department’s Narcotics Unit.

Kesler was taken into custody at a home in the 500 block of West Hurlbut Avenue. During the arrest, detectives searched the home and recovered cannabis, scales, drug-packaging material, drug paraphernalia, cash and a car.

The two children were taken into protective custody and turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services.